Kratom withdrawal feels like a milder version of opioid withdrawal, and for most people the physical symptoms start within 12 to 24 hours of the last dose and settle over about a week.

Kratom comes from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, and its active compounds act on the same brain receptors as opioids. That is why stopping after regular, heavy use can leave you achy, anxious, sweaty, and unable to sleep. Knowing what to expect, and when to reach out for medical help, makes the whole thing a lot less frightening.

This article is for general education, not a replacement for a proper assessment. If kratom use has become hard to control, our page on care options for kratom dependence in Ontario explains where to start.

What is kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree native to Southeast Asia. People take the dried leaf as a powder, in capsules, or brewed as a tea. Its two main active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, attach to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain, the same receptors opioids act on. At low doses kratom tends to work like a stimulant and gives energy and alertness. At higher doses it produces opioid-like effects such as relaxation and pain relief, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Because it works on opioid receptors, regular use can lead to physical dependence, and stopping brings on an opioid-type withdrawal. In Canada, Health Canada has not authorized any kratom product for sale as a natural health product, and selling it for human consumption is not permitted, though possession and personal use are not illegal. Health Canada also warns that kratom can cause narcotic and stimulant effects with similar risks of abuse and addiction.

Kratom withdrawal symptoms

Symptoms depend on how much a person used and for how long. Most are physical and flu-like, with an emotional layer on top. The ones people report most often include:

• Muscle aches and spasms, along with joint pain and a restless, jumpy feeling.
• Stomach trouble such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea.
• Runny nose and watery eyes, sweating, hot flashes, and sometimes a low fever.
• Trouble sleeping, including insomnia and restless legs at night.
• Mood changes like anxiety, irritability, agitation, and low mood.
• Strong cravings for kratom, which tend to be worst in the first few days.

Scientific reviews describe kratom withdrawal as generally milder and more tolerable than withdrawal from strong opioids such as heroin or fentanyl. That is not much comfort when you are in the thick of it, but it does mean most people get through the acute phase within a week. The pattern looks a lot like a full opioid withdrawal, usually at a lower intensity.

Kratom withdrawal timeline

Timing is different for everyone, but withdrawal tends to follow a rough arc. Kratom clears the body fairly quickly, so symptoms often begin the day after the last dose.

Phase	When	What usually happens
Onset	12 to 24 hours after last use	First symptoms appear: cravings, anxiety, sweating, muscle aches, runny nose.
Peak	Around days 2 to 3	Symptoms are strongest, with the worst aches, stomach upset, poor sleep, and irritability.
Easing	Days 3 to 7	Physical symptoms settle for most people, and appetite and energy start to return.
Lingering	Up to about 2 weeks	Sleep problems, low mood, and cravings can hang on after the physical symptoms fade.

Heavy daily users, and people who took kratom alongside other substances, often find symptoms start sooner and last longer.

What affects how hard kratom withdrawal is

No two people have the same experience. A few things tend to make withdrawal more intense or drawn out:

• Dose and potency. Larger daily amounts and stronger extracts lead to heavier withdrawal.
• Length of use. Months or years of daily use build more dependence than occasional use.
• Other substances. Mixing kratom with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines complicates withdrawal and raises risk.
• Physical and mental health. Existing anxiety, depression, or chronic pain can make symptoms feel worse.
• How you stop. Quitting all at once is harder than a planned taper guided by a clinician.

Is kratom withdrawal dangerous?

For most healthy adults, kratom withdrawal is uncomfortable rather than life-threatening. The real risks come from dehydration during heavy vomiting or diarrhea, from severe anxiety or low mood, and from combining kratom with other drugs. Kratom itself is not harmless either. NIDA notes reports of cardiovascular, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal problems, and a review of US data linked 11 deaths between 2011 and 2017 to kratom, most of them involving other substances.

Get medical help right away if you have chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat, confusion, a seizure, signs of serious dehydration, or thoughts of harming yourself. If you think you or someone else is having an overdose or medical emergency, call 911.

How kratom withdrawal is treated

No medication is approved specifically for kratom withdrawal, so clinicians usually manage it much like opioid withdrawal. Depending on the situation, care can include:

• Medication-assisted treatment. Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, has been used to settle moderate to severe kratom withdrawal and cravings.
• Comfort medications. Clonidine can ease sweating, anxiety, and a racing heart, while other medicines help with nausea, diarrhea, and sleep.
• Supportive care. Fluids, rest, and steady meals, plus counselling to handle cravings and any anxiety or depression underneath the use.

A clinician can help you weigh a gradual taper against a supported quit, and can arrange medical detox support if you need it. Doing this with professional guidance is safer and far more comfortable than trying to white-knuckle it alone.

Getting OHIP-covered kratom treatment in Ontario

Thrive Medical is a Rapid Access Addiction Medicine RAAM clinic serving North York and the Greater Toronto Area, with virtual appointments available across Ontario. Assessment and treatment for kratom dependence are covered by OHIP for eligible patients.

You can read more about our kratom addiction treatment, check which addiction treatments are covered by OHIP, or start from home with our virtual outpatient program. If you are ready to talk to someone, contact our team and we can usually see new patients quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does kratom withdrawal last?

For most people the physical symptoms last about 3 to 7 days. They tend to start 12 to 24 hours after the last dose and peak around days 2 to 3. Cravings, low mood, and sleep problems can linger for a week or two after the physical symptoms fade.

What are the worst days of kratom withdrawal?

Symptoms are usually most intense around days 2 and 3, when aches, stomach upset, poor sleep, and irritability tend to peak. After that, most physical symptoms ease over the next several days, though the exact timing varies from person to person.

Is kratom withdrawal dangerous?

It is usually uncomfortable rather than life-threatening for healthy adults. Dehydration, severe anxiety or depression, and mixing kratom with other drugs can raise the risk. Seek medical help for chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, seizures, or thoughts of self-harm.

Can you stop kratom cold turkey?

Some people do, but stopping all at once tends to bring on stronger symptoms and cravings. A planned taper or medical support is usually easier to get through and lowers the chance of going back to use. A clinician can help you choose the safest approach for your situation.

Does kratom show up on a drug test?

Standard drug panels do not test for kratom, and it does not usually trigger a routine opioid screen. Specialized tests can detect mitragynine in urine, blood, saliva, or hair, but these are not part of most workplace or clinical screening.

Is kratom treatment covered by OHIP?

Yes. Assessment and treatment for kratom dependence are covered by OHIP for eligible patients at RAAM clinics such as Thrive Medical, including virtual appointments across Ontario.

Sources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Kratom research topic.
• Henningfield JE, et al. Kratom withdrawal: discussions and conclusions of a scientific expert forum. National Library of Medicine, 2023.
• Singh D, et al. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users. 2014.
• Health Canada, Buying and using drug and health products safely.
• Mayo Clinic, Kratom for opioid withdrawal: does it work?

Last reviewed: September 2026. This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare provider about your specific situation. If you think you or someone else is experiencing an overdose or medical emergency, call 911.